| Hi, my name is Joan Miller When my husband John and I, Oregonians, were returning to our hotel from a business conference in Ogden Utah, we were involved in a hit and run crash caused by a drunk driver. The driver had just come from the non commissioned officers club on a military base where he had been over served to an approximate .20 to .24 blood alcohol level. That is more than three times the legal limit of 0.08%. The crash involved 3 cars and 6 people, injuring everyone but the drunk driver. The crash left John with numerous serious injuries and I had the most serious, a permanently disabling severe traumatic brain injury. I basically had to re-learn everything that I had learned the 42 years of my life prior to the crash. From the basics of walking, talking and swallowing, to learning the names of my family members, most importantly my husband of 7 years then, John. Because it was a military base versus a private bar, the server, our government, was not held legally responsible for over serving the soldier. Dealing with this life changing injury resulted in the founding of BIRRDsong, a survivor led non-profit brain injury support, referral and resource group to help brain injury survivors and their families navigate their new journey through life. John and I are also working to change the law at the Federal level to make all military bases accountable for their actions when serving alcohol. MADD has been a great support to our cause. MADD sees the need to protect civilians from this double standard that exists in our law. MADD sees the need for Federal regulation. MADD sees the need that we ALL get involved to voice our concern. We see the need to change this double standard in the law and stop protecting the military when it sends “loaded weapons” off their bases and onto destructive paths that intersect those of innocent victims, with catastrophic consequences and no accountability from the military. You can be part of that process by adding your name to our online petition that will be given to the legislators in your state. Together we can all make a difference. This is not about John and me. This is all about you!! Please, join with us to change this law. Don’t let this happen to you! Thank you and God bless you and your families.
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